Night Driving

One of my favorite things about visiting a library with a young child, is that you never know what books you might come home with. We are very fortunate to live within walking distance of an excellent public library. Upon entering the Children's section, my son has the habit of walking up to random shelves, and choosing the first few books he reaches. Many of the books he picks are bestsellers based on licensed educational characters that dominate the televisions, computers, lunch boxes, toys, yogurt containers and diapers of America's children (Yes Dora  I'm talking about you.)
However, every now and then my son's random selections lead us to great books that we might otherwise have never discovered.


Night Driving written by John Coy and illustrated by Peter McCoy is one of the more recent books I have stumbled across. I will admit that I am personally biased towards any book that can illustrate a normal healthy father son relationship. I also have fond memories of "night driving" with my father and brothers on camping and fishing expeditions. Night Driving is the story of a young boy and his father as they drive through the night to camp in the mountains. The 1950s feel of rural American highways is expertly captured in black and white sketches by Peter McCarty.  Night Driving is the rare children's book that captures interest by being reflective and calm. There are no sword fights, or daring escapes. Just a flat tire, the game on the radio, and as my son noted, "A little boy in the front with no car seat!"

Can You Read?

Well, I guess you can read. But you couldn't always, could you? From a parent and educator's perspective, the emergence of reading is a process that seems to take years of hard work. But, to many children learning to read is not a laborious journey, but is instead remembered as a magical moment when everything just "clicks".


And I Mean It, Stanley (By Crosby Bonsall) may not be the greatest book I ever read, but it is perhaps the most important book. Like many other young Americans, the first book I ever read was part of the " I Can Read Book" series by Harper Publishing. The simple act of reading by oneself not only opens up a new world to children, but it also gives them power. The power to  read as much as they want, whenever they want, and just about whatever they want.
And I Mean It, Stanley is the uncomplicated story of a girl, a junkyard, and a dog. Simple story, classic illustrations, and the potential to start someone's life-long love of reading.